27 years of migraine - I'm finally free! My success story

Hi, my name is Andrew Paiva. I’m a dad, husband, son, brother, and uncle. I’m also an executive at a private food manufacturing company in Massachusetts. For 27+ years, I lived with migraine. It wasn’t just “headaches”—they were the thief that stole days, memories, and moments I’ll never get back. From my younger years through adulthood, I battled a relentless cycle of suffering, hopelessness, and temporary fixes. Every new medication, neurologist, hospital, device, diet, or “miracle cure” brought hope that eventually turned into disappointment. This was all until I found Dr. Laurel Steinberg. This is my success story.

By 2024, the weight of it all was getting unbearable. I was living what should’ve been the prime of my life—young, successful, married with two small children, full of ambition—but behind the scenes, migraine was robbing me of it all. After experiencing some initial relief from the newly released CGRP medications, they quickly let me down. Migraine was back with fierce vengeance as were the days of taking excedrin and triptans as meals.

I grew terrified thinking I couldn’t be present for anything or anyone. Making future plans became comical. I knew damn well I had no idea if I’d be able to keep my plans for that future event, dinner, vacation, meeting - you name it. I’d truck through the worse pain, dizziness, nausea and urges to escape to a bed in a dark room just to feel like I had some type of control of my life. If you’re suffering and reading this, you know that sometimes the only thing you can do is escape from reality and run to that dark room, take a triptan/excedrin, get some rest and cross your fingers that this one won’t send you to the ER for another “migraine cocktail”.

Though I’d try to hide the suffering, my young children were watching and knew I was sick. They’d even get ice packs for daddy to try and help me. I was starting to believe that this was just how life would always be. That I would always live around the pain, instead of without it.

I’m grateful for having family, friends and colleagues who were always trying to help me. They’d give me recommendations or would share stories from who they also knew suffered from migraine. One suggestion led me to the idea of mindbody medicine and TMS. Somehow after all my own “research”, I had never heard of TMS! As this person also suggested, I read The Mindbody Prescription by Dr. Sarno. This was the beginning of my path to success.

The book contained many examples that sounded like it was being written about my life. I was optimistic and ready to start attacking migraine with this new approach. However, I’ll admit, I didn’t have the best understanding of how this mindset alone could fully heal me from all this pain. I was determined to keep searching and trying anything I could to give me back my life.

I knew I had to continue learning about the role TMS plays in migraine. One day, laying in pain from another migraine I googled “TMS migraine Sarno” and came across a link that had the word “Success” in the headline. I clicked the link and started reading a success story of someone who worked with a wonderful doctor who cured them from migraine. The doctor referenced was Dr. Laurel Steinberg.

I don’t know what took so long for me to cross paths with Dr. Steinberg, but I’ll tell you this, it’s why I am sharing this story and will work to advocate for her and her successful migraine treatment method. I don’t want anyone to miss this!

I called Dr. Steinberg (Laurel) as soon as I finished reading the success story. It rang and went to her voicemail and just as I thought to myself “Oh great, another doctor who might call me back and if I’m lucky I’ll get an appointment 6 months from now”, my phone began to ring; it was Dr. Steinberg who had just missed my call. She called me within seconds of missing the call, on a Sunday! I instantly learned she was the real deal. She explained to me not how she could HELP, but how she WILL GET RID of my migraine sickness. That was the first time in 27 years someone ever sounded as confident as Laurel did in beating migraine. Desperate and motivated, I had my first appointment with her later that very same day.

After learning so much from working with Dr. Steinberg, I couldn’t believe some of the things neurologists would have me try or do. While they may be great at other aspects of neurology, they were all terrible at treating migraine. I’ve had some tell me “Take this, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll jab you with this (needle with a new medication) ….”. I can recall getting excited and optimistic just for landing an appointment with a neurologist. It was my only hope for relief. I’d attend the appointment, after waiting several months, only to eventually be put on another ineffective medication that had awful side effects.

If you are suffering from migraine and reading this, don’t give up. Relief is out there. Healing is possible. All it takes is finding the right person to guide you through it. Gather your motivation and call her RIGHT NOW! I’ve worked with seven neurologists at some of the best hospitals in the country (including Harvard, near where I live) and never had I spoken with someone this experienced and knowledgeable about migraine. She has been a godsend.

Laurel has clearly put a lot of work into her method so I don’t want to share too much. However, I will share why I know this is so successful.

First and foremost, Laurel suffered from migraine just like the rest of us. She can relate to the pain and suffering we have all gone through. She understands how debilitating migraine is. No more hearing “it’s just a headache” like many doctors have told me before.

Second, she’s always available and communicates with you about the method on a daily basis. I wasn’t used to this. Historically I’d have to call doctor offices and leave messages waiting a few days for a response.

Third, she’s a wiz! You’ll learn she’s studied and trained at Johns Hopkins, NYU and Columbia where she teaches her method. She’s also been taught by Dr. Sarno himself.

Laurel is more than a doctor, she’s a coach, a motivator and will push you to your own success. Thanks to her, I got my life back. I’m living fully, chasing my goals, and showing up every day as the person I always knew I could’ve been, if only the pain would’ve let me. Words can't express how deeply thankful I am to Dr. Steinberg for freeing me from the pain of migraine. I am forever in her debt! She is nothing short of magically masterful in migraine prevention – with a great attitude!

During our first appointment, Laurel waved a magic wand readying me for the magic to come. It sure did, here is a recent picture of us with her magic wand - so funny but so true that her method worked.



Dr. Laurel Steinberg can be reached at (917) 574-0825

 

So how did YOU actually get well? Ignore the part of the story with the miracle doctor and tell us about your own work. In your own words. If this is a success story, as you called it, you'll be able to share with us at least a few words about the treatment. Something. Anything.

Thanks.

 

Andrew, I love this for you. I am also a success story of Dr. Steinberg. I haven’t posted my story yet, I plan to soon. Not that long ago, I was thinking that her plan for me wasn’t going to work because I’d have really great days and then have some minor pain. She kept telling me we move forward confidently, and man, was she right. I wish I hadn’t spent so much time doubting myself. It was not an overnight fix, but I had results shortly after starting. Now, almost a year being her client, I can confidently say I am living a normal life.

Thanks for sharing your success with Dr. Steinberg. I hope more people with migraine come across her and get their lives back.

 

Those were my own words……this is my success story.

You need motivation to be successful. I was missing the customized approach. It wasn’t just one thing I did or continue to do. It’s not something I can just put into words. First you need the holistic education. The method is both psychology and scientifically based.

Don’t write off the doctor so quickly. I don’t regularly post about my private life on the web, I did this solely in hopes I can help others suffering like I did. In my opinion, you NEED to work with someone who is educated and experienced with migraine. Everyone’s medical history is different. A customized approach is necessary. It was, along with my own motivation and commitment, the reason why I finally found success.

 

It sounds like an advertisement for the doctor. That's all. And your story...you said you can't put it into words - what you did - is useless here. If you can't put it into words...why bother to write it here in this format?

Go read others' success stories and you'll see that they do not sound like yours. They don't advertise a doctor and that's all. You gave us nothing else regarding your own struggle/treatment/impressions/journey etc.

Take care.

 

Useless? I found relief by reading a success story just like mine. It put me on my way. You’ll find many more just like it.

Best of luck to you Sita!

 

Hello, I'm sorry I missed this yesterday, I was out having a great time and feeling wonderful. I usually love this website and the supportive posts and group, which is why I keep reading and chiming in. I've also met my friend Dana here and we've even gotten together in person. She let me know about this thread and I just saw it when I woke up.

I've posted about my success over migraine from working with Dr. Steinberg (and all about the steps involved in my work with her) MANY, MANY TIMES over the past year, please search for them, I don't know how to link within. I believe Andrew was referring to my success story that he initially found by google. I also found Dr. Steinberg through this wiki, which is why I've posted about her on this webpage. The Dr. Sarno teachings have been a valuable component of the protocol.

I also found full healing from my work with Dr. Steinberg, after fail after fail with other doctors for literally decades. I was also on the CGRP rollercoaster with rescue meds almost every other day and was almost bed bound constantly. I am 100% symptom free today and am only living now as an older lady.

Why did Sita say Andrew didn't share his "struggle/treatment/impressions/journey"? He shared a huge amount, too much even. That's probably because this healing is so emotional.

I don't know how to link to my original post, but feel free to check for it and all of my other posts too. No one ever asked me to write about my success. I did it as a public service to help others so no one ever has to suffer from migraine like I did. Her approach is holistic and taught me everything I needed to know about migraine recovery (psychology and migraine science, as Andrew stated).

JanACPA, What you state about her fee is simply incorrect, it's around half that and I submit the receipt and get most of the fee back from insurance reimbursement, making it almost free. Her fee is lower than three other practitioners I me on this website, with whom I made no progress, though they were nice people. Why did you write that her fee is $500 if it's only a little more than half that? I'm sure the fee is listed publicly on her website or elsewhere. That's lower than the going rate in Manhattan where she's based. With the daily support she offers to migraine patients at no extra charge, I don't think she charges enough.

I also don't know what you mean about not offering one-time consultations? There is no obligation when working with her. I had a no charge initial phone meeting which was 15 minutes or so. I only pay for one meeting at a time. I absolutely love working with her and am still working with her today. I love our meetings and she's helped me with so many areas of my life. You name it, family, school, friends, and my relationship with myself, most importantly.

I have had the most miraculous recovery!!! I feel fantastic. I'm even back in grad school. I think it's great that Andrew posted his picture and name -- his picture and post are just like those of someone else named Alan who works at the New York Times who posted his real name and about his success story. I remember googling him at the time he posted so he's definitely a real person, too. Maybe Andrew used his post as a template which is why it looks like a similar format? I don't know, but it doesn't matter. Andrew's heartbreaking story about the struggle with migraine is very typical and was eerily similar to mine over several decades and traveling the country to the world's "best doctors."

TODAY, I FEEL WONDERFUL! I'm back in grad school. I even have a boyfriend (this is a huge accomplishment for someone who previously had no quality of life).

I remember how upset I felt when I was so sick previously. I was always feeling lousy when I was sick. Maybe that shows in the posters who were negative in their response.

It's so strange because working with Dr. Steinberg has been pure sunshine and full healing!!

I hope that ANYONE who doubts my success or Andrew's or anyone else's who shares about their success is just as happy for us as we are. I hope everyone finds similar healing!!!!

Dana, can you chime in too? I'll text you back tomorrow. It's 2:30am.

I'll forever be grateful for Dr. Sarno, who led to my full recovery -- and for his work leading me to Dr. Steinberg.

 

Congratulations Tootsie! I've also had the same success over migraine from working with her. I hope you have a wonderful life without the "electrical storm" that is migraine, as she calls it. I'm so happy to read your story

 

Thank you! I remember commenting on one of your posts last year and I’m glad I did and stuck with it. The journaling, the sessions with Laurel,’and changing up my migraine preventives really paid off. I have learned to not be so reactive, use the REBT method and it’s worked wonders.

I do not pay $500 per hour or per session, nowhere near that. That is simply false and it’s sad that those of us that found relief with Dr. Steinberg are being questioned. I feel like this is more of a “it’s not free, you aren’t disclosing all of her methods and since it’s so expensive, I need to involve the elders to see if this violates our community guidelines.” Silly.

 

Hi, my name is Alan Yacavone and I’m a Vice President at The New York Times. I posted my miraculous recovery TMS story here from working with Dr. Steinberg after suffering needlessly for 20 years.

I feel it is very important for us, as a community, to cheer on other’s successes and share when they occur. I found @JanAtheCPA comments to be disappointing and completely inaccurate (Dr Steinberg’s fee, which is listed on her website is nowhere near $500 and she does offer a free 15 min consultation) I invite any of the moderator staff to send me a private message where I’d be happy to share my phone number and New York Times email address to fact check and verify my experience.

I’m so grateful the TMS community for their support and encouragement, for Dr Sarno’s ideas, and for the TMS Wiki provider listing which led me to finally find the expert practitioner who helped me eliminate my suffering. Dr Steinberg is nothing short of a professional delight and anyone would be lucky to work with her.

What we should be focused on is the great success that @AP2025 @Tootsie @JaneSandyJane have had. Congratulations to them, I'm so glad you are living your best life as I am too!

 

I’ve read and watched a whole lot of success stories and this is definitely the weirdest one. I first thought they were all the same person on different accounts but the writing seems different on the accounts. I think the op may have come on too strong with promoting dr Steinberg is all?

 

Considering the original posters tremendous wins and compete relief from the suffering he described, the effusiveness seems completely appropriate. I also had a similar miraculous experience after decades of extremely upsetting, painful, and sometimes debilitating symptoms. My enthusiasm is no less than Andrew’s for our beloved practitioner.

I hope that the above comments don’t deter anyone from celebrating and sharing their successes after becoming well, as I thought this was the point of the Wiki. @AP2025 congratulations again and keep singing Dr Steinberg praises, I know I sure will!

 

Thank you @ayacavone! I’m surprised at some of the comments made on one’s success story. Never thought I’d be asked to defend my success or existence, yikes.

I think some folks are missing the point, Dr.’s educated in both TMS and migraine or other similar diseases can play a vital role in healing (even if nothing more than a coach).

Cheers to our success sir!

 

These celebrations aren’t about a “miracle doctor” – the miracle happens when the patients (including me) are educated, trained and supported to heal themselves to full and lasting recovery. It’s an inside job, for sure.

After Dr. Steinberg suffered terribly with migraine for her entire childhood, she did everything possible to educate herself to prevent her own migraine and then help future patients.

“The Headache Preventive Lifestyle” program is a holistic treatment approach that turns off the migraine mechanism completely. A lot of Dr. Sarno’s teachings are at the backbone, but it involves more.

I used to consider myself completely neurologically handicapped from migraine and now I’m fully well and have been for years. Years!

Here’s the link to my own success story from a while ago:

https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/threads/no-more-headaches.26793/ (No More Headaches!!)

So yeah, it’s that our recoveries are miraculous, as was being able to have found what is clearly the finest preventative migraine care in the world. I would know, as I had previously traveled extensively desperate for help, doing medical tourism; everything failed except for this.

If this isn’t a miracle, then what is?

Congratulations to the other posters. For sure, getting well was our miracle.

Thanks.

Dana